Print PageWhat is the CAO System?
Anyone seeking a first year undergraduate place on a full-time course at ITB must apply for it via the Central Applications Office. The CAO is the national organisation that accepts applications for admission to undergraduate courses in institutions of higher education in Ireland. The CAO is an administration centre for the processing of applications nationally and does not determine whether or not you will be offered a course place. The participating institutions make independent decisions on admissions.
Details of the CAO applications process are published in a handbook available from the CAO, Tower House, Eglington Street, Galway. Tel: (091) 509800; Fax: (091) 562344; Website : www.cao.ie
Applicants are encouraged by the CAO to use the online method of application, via the CAO Website www.cao.ie
Applications for places at ITB through the CAO system are made via the CAO Application Form, which accompanies the CAO Handbook. Pages 1 and 2 of the form are normally sufficient for standard applicants. (Republic of Ireland school-leavers presenting results in the Leaving Certificate or National University of Ireland matriculation examinations since 1985).
As with all other courses cleared through the CAO, every ITB course has a unique code and reference. You apply for places by writing the course code and course reference in the table(s) on page 2 of the CAO form. Table A below shows the codes and references for courses at ITB.
Applicants completing the CAO application form must accept all the directions and conditions set out in the form and in the CAO handbook. Great care must be taken in filling out CAO forms, as neither ITB nor the CAO accepts responsibility for any mistakes made or for the consequences of any such mistakes if applicants do not follow the correct procedures.
Every academic institution will have its own application dates.
Key dates for applications made through the CAO to ITB are:
| 1 February 2012, 5.15 pm - Closing date for applications |
| 1 May 2012, 5.15 pm - Deadline for receipt of late applications (extra fee to be paid) |
| 1 July 2012, 5.15 pm - Deadline for receipt of change-of-mind applications (provided a valid application was made in the first place) |
What are the requirements for admission to ITB?
The minimum entry requirement for standard applicants for admission to Higher Certificate or Ordinary Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Computer Engineering or Mechatronics), Sustainable Electrical Control Technology and Computing courses is at least grade D3 (ordinary level) in the Leaving Certificate examination in five subjects, including Mathematics and either English or Irish.
For courses in Business, Sports Management and Coaching, Horticulture, Creative Digital Media, Applied Social Studies , Social and Community Development & Early Childhood Care & Education, Foundation Level Mathematics (at grade B2 or higher) is accepted as meeting these minimum entry requirements. A grade E in Leaving Certificate Mathematics at Higher Level counts as a subject towards the five passes , however no points will be awarded for this grade.
The minimum entry requirements for standard applicants for admission to 4/5 year Ab Initio Honours Bachelor Degree courses is at least a pass in six Leaving Certificate subjects with two higher C3 grades and four ordinary D3 grades, including Mathematics and either English or Irish for Engineering (Computer Engineering or Mechatronics) and Computing courses. For courses in Business, Sports Management and Coaching, Horticulture, Creative Digital Media, Applied Social Studies , Social and Community Development and Early Childhood Care , Foundation Level Mathematics (at grade B2 or higher) is accepted as meeting these minimum entry requirements. A grade E in Leaving Certificate Mathematics at Higher Level counts as a subject towards the six passes, however no points will be awarded for this grade.
Results in Foundation Level Irish in the Leaving Certificate, or results in the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme do not satisfy these minimum entry requirements. Applicants are advised that despite the fact that Foundation Level Mathematics meet the minimum mathematics requirement for entry into some of our courses, some employers require Ordinary Level Mathematics or higher to meet minimum educational attainment for some positions.
Currently the results in more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination will be counted towards meeting this minimum requirement. However, additional requirements may be specified for some courses. Please check details of the minimum requirement for each course as set out in the course categories section of the web site.
What courses are currently on offer via application to the CAO?
The list below outlines the courses that are on offer in 2012/2013 where application is made through the CAO.
Table A
| Code | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Level 6 | ||
| BN001 | Higher Certificate in Engineering in Electronics and Computer Engineering | 2 years |
| BN002 | Higher Certificate in Science in Computing in Information Technology | 2 years |
| BN003 | Higher Certificate in Business | 2 years |
| Level 7 | ||
| BN009 | Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics | 3 years |
| BN010 | Bachelor of Business in Information Technology | 3 years |
| BN011 | Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care | 3 years |
| BN012 | Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering | 3 years |
| BN013 | Bachelor of Science in Computing in Information Technology | 3 years |
| BN014 | Bachelor of Business | 3 years |
| BN015 | Bachelor of Engineering (allowing later specialisation in Computer Engineering or Mechatronics) | 3 years |
| BN016 | Bachelor of Business (allowing later specialisation in Business or Business with Information Technology or International Business or Accounting and Finance | 3 years |
| BN017 | Bachelor of Business in International Business* | 3 years |
| BN020 | Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and Coaching* | 3 years |
| BN021 | Bachelor of Arts in Creative Digital Media | 3 years |
| BN022 | Bachelor of Science in Horticulture | 3 years |
| BN025 | Bachelor of Arts in Social and Community Development* | 3 years |
| BN030 | Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education* | 3 years |
| BN039 | Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Electrical and Control Technology* | 3 years |
| Level 8 | ||
| BN101 | Bachelor of Business (Honours) | 4 years |
| BN103 | Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Information Technology | 4 years |
| BN104 | Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing in Information Technology | 4 years |
| BN117 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Computer Engineering** | 4 years |
| BN107 | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care | 4 years |
| BN108 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (allowing later specialisation in Computer Engineering or Mechatronics) | 4 years |
| BN109 | Bachelor of Business (Honours) (allowing later specialisation in Business or Business with Information Technology or International Business or Accounting and Finance) | 4 years |
| BN110 | Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business | 4 years |
| BN111 | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sports Management and Coaching | 4 years |
| BN112 | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Creative Digital Media | 4 years |
| BN113 | Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture | 4 years |
| BN115 | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social and Community Development | 4 years |
| BN118 | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Care and Education | 4 years |
| BN121 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronics | 4 years |
*Students who successfully complete year two of this programme and who do not wish to progress to the third year may receive a Higher Certificate award.
**This programme is subject to validation.
Bonus Points for Higher Level Mathematics (from 2012 entry)
Points awarded:
A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade D3 or above in higher level mathematics in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total will increase from 600 to 625.
Date of Examination:
The scheme is to be introduced for a four year pilot period commencing with CAO entry in September 2012 and ending in 2015. Bonus points will be awarded during the 4-year pilot period irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Process:
All students presenting HD3 or above in higher level mathematics will have 25 points added to their score for mathematics. The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice.
The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the higher level mathematics subject (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if higher level mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.
For example, an applicant has the following seven results:
Subject |
Level |
Grade |
Score |
Irish |
Higher |
C2 |
65 |
English |
Ordinary |
A1 |
60 |
Maths |
Higher |
D2 |
50+25 = 75 |
French |
Higher |
B2 |
80 |
Biology |
Higher |
C1 |
70 |
Geography |
Ordinary |
A1 |
60 |
History |
Higher |
B3 |
75 |
Add the best six scores, shown in bold. |
Points = 425 |
||
Before the introduction of the Bonus Points scheme for Higher Level Mathematics this applicant's points would have been 410 as the points for Geography would have been included instead of Higher Level Mathematics.
Impact of the bonus points:
| Result % range | Leaving Certificate grade | Points for higher level mathematics, including 25 bonus points | Existing points for higher level subjects including mathematics | Points for ordinary level subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | A1 |
125 |
100 |
60 |
| 85 – 89.99 | A2 |
115 |
90 |
50 |
| 80 – 84.99 | B1 |
110 |
85 |
45 |
| 75 – 79.99 | B2 |
105 |
80 |
40 |
| 70 – 74.99 | B3 |
100 |
75 |
35 |
| 65 – 69.99 | C1 |
95 |
70 |
30 |
| 60 – 64.99 | C2 |
90 |
65 |
25 |
| 55 – 59.99 | C3 |
85 |
60 |
20 |
| 50 – 54.99 | D1 |
80 |
55 |
15 |
| 45 – 49.99 | D2 |
75 |
50 |
10 |
| 40 – 44.99 | D3 |
70 |
45 |
5 |
| 25 – 39.99 | E |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 10 – 24.99 | F |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 0 – 9.99 | NG |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explaining the Leaving Certificate 'Points' system
As there are generally more qualified applicants for courses than there are places available, places are offered to applicants in accordance with an order of merit determined by a points system, which tallies up your total marks over your six best subjects. Results from one sitting only of the Leaving Certificate may be counted for points.
Places will be offered to candidates who satisfy the minimum entry requirements strictly in the order of merit established by the points system. However, the Institute allocates a number of places outside the points system to mature students, students with special needs and to students from an educationally and/or socially disadvantaged background, consistent with the mission of the Institute.
Points for Leaving Certificate results are allocated as follows:
| A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | D1 | D2 | D3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Level | ||||||||||
| 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Higher Level | ||||||||||
| 100 | 90 | 85 | 80 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 45 |
| Foundation Level | ||||||||||
| 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |||||||
Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) students
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the Leaving Certificate.
The LCVP subject will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves at least a pass grade. This will apply to entry for Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8), Ordinary Degree (NFQ Level 7) and Higher Certificate (NFQ Level 6) academic courses. The following points scoring system will be used:
| Pass | 30 |
| Merit | 50 |
| Distinction | 70 |
LCAP (Leaving Certificate Applied Programme)
The LCAP subjects do not meet the minimum entry requirements for admission to academic courses and are not considered as passing subjects.
APPLICANTS PRESENTING FETAC AWARDS
The following entry arrangements will apply to graduates of FETAC (Level 5 or 6) courses seeking admission to courses at ITB.
The minimum entry requirement for graduates of FETAC (Level 5 or 6) awards to:
- Higher Certificate (NFQ level 6) courses is a full FETAC (Level 5 or 6) award
- Ab Initio Ordinary Degree (NFQ level 7) courses is a full FETAC (Level 5 or 6) award
- Ab Initio Honours Degree (NFQ level 8) courses is a full FETAC (Level 5 or 6) award in a course in a cognate area and including a Distinction grade in at least three modules.
In these three cases, a general specific requirement for mathematics or a language will not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum entry requirements listed above, specific Higher Certificate, Ab Initio Ordinary Degree and Ab Initio Honours Degree courses may have certain, specific pre-requisite FETAC modules or FETAC course requirements.
A full FETAC award normally contains 8 modules. A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to FETAC for a full award where courses are taken over more than one year. A record of achievement or component certificate does not meet these minimum entry standards.
An overall points score is calculated based on the best 8 modules presented. For modules with a credit value of 1, scores awarded are as follows:
| Pass | 20 |
| Merit | 35 |
| Distinction | 50 |
Scores are adjusted pro rata to take account of credit values other than 1 for the module. Scores are also adjusted pro rata to take account of the module level; level 1 scores are multiplied by 0.5, level 2 scores are multiplied by 1.0, and level 3 scores are multiplied by 1.25.
In some courses at ITB a specific Mathematics is a mandatory component of the FETAC award being presented. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has evidence of equivalent achievement from other examinations (such as a previous Leaving Certificate award). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence to the Academic Administration Office of the Institute.
How FETAC graduates apply to ITB for a course?
Applicants who have spent at least one year on a recognised PLC course validated by FETAC can be considered for entry. Applications are made via the CAO. If you are taking assessments in the current year please tick the box on Page 2 of the CAO Form and do not make an entry on Page 3. FETAC will automatically send the results to the CAO, who in turn will forward them to ITB.
Results from FETAC Graduates (Level 5 or 6 awards) who completed a full award since 2000 will also be automatically calculated by the CAO but ensure to tick the box on Page 3 of the CAO Form. You are advised to list on page 4 of the form your award and the year taken. Results from FETAC courses prior to 2000 cannot be rated by the CAO and therefore applicants must complete the necessary information on Page 4 of the CAO Application Form. In addition, applicants must forward a copy of these results to ITB Academic Administration Office, before the end of June in the year of application.
FETAC applicants cannot assume they will receive a place on a course at ITB on successful completion of a full FETAC award as they will be competing with other FETAC holders and Leaving Certificate applicants.
Please contact the ITB Academic Administration Office if you have queries about any FETAC related applications (Tel: (01) 885 1000, e-mail: info@itb.ie).
Special Category Applicants
Anyone making a 'special category' application will need to complete some extra steps in their CAO application. Details of these procedures are to be found in the CAO Handbook. Special category applicants will need to complete pages 3 and 4 of the CAO Form. There are a range of circumstances and conditions under which a special category application can be made. People who can make applications in this category include the following:
- Mature applicants (to qualify, applicants must be over 23 years of age on 1st January of the year in which admission is sought)
- Applicants with special needs requiring special facilities
- Applicants presenting FETAC qualifications
- Applicants under the ITB Access Programme
- Applicants presenting school-leaving examinations (other than the Leaving Certificate) including those taken outside Ireland.
Mature Applicants
For info on CAO Mature Applicants for Full-time Courses Click here
Special Needs Applicants
In designing the ITB campus, we paid particular attention to access and how best to accommodate students with special needs. We encourage applications from students with special needs, regardless of any physical or sensory disability. Students are encouraged to indicate their particular needs on page 1 of the CAO application form. ITB will then contact the student to discuss how best their needs can be accommodated. In certain cases, students may be able to avail of special admissions procedures. Applicants can be assured that disclosure of a disability or specific learning difficulty is required solely to enable colleges to support access to higher education.
Every attempt is made to facilitate students with special needs and to provide special equipment and supports where ITB budgets allow. The supports available include provision of, and training in, assistive technology, access to the Assistive Technology Centre in the library, mentoring programme and academic support. A dyslexia support specialist is currently available to ITB students.
Special arrangements can be made for students with special needs at examination time, provided sufficient notice is given. These arrangements can include the provision of a separate room to take examinations, the availability of an individual to read examination questions, the provision of additional time in which to complete your examinations, the provision of a scribe, taping your examinations etc.
Offers of places to students in this category are made by CAO in the normal way.
